A Great Time to Garden: Enjoy the Fruits and Veggies of Your Labor!

Spring is a time to take advantage of the warm weather, sunshine, and blooming flowers. Use this season for all its worth and take advantage of gardening and enjoying the fruits and vegetables of your labor!

If you are new to gardening, you can start with just a small pot of fresh herbs, caring for a garden can make a difference to your health. Not only are you getting the freshest produce when you grow them yourself, but there are also many health benefits you can achieve through caring for a garden.

Perhaps you don’t have a green thumb, you can still enjoy all the seasonal fruits and vegetables. To get the best use out of your fruits and vegetables, be sure to select the freshest produce and store them properly.

Gardening for Your Health

There are obvious benefits of having your own fresh produce at your fingertips to use all summer long. However, there are also benefits to your health as well!

• Brain-Boosting: According to a study, researchers found that patients recovering from surgery who looked at views of nature had significantly shorter recovery periods. It is believed that there is some electrical activity in the brain that positively responds to natural images. The activity involves a shift in emotional states which is said to boost immune and brain function.

• Physical Activity: Gardening is a great way to get moving and escape your sedentary routines. Working in a garden may not seem like exercise, but the movements of bending down to pull weeds, shoveling out your garden plot, planting, and watering, all count towards daily physical activity.

• Vitamin D: Gardening is done in the fresh, outdoor air, where your body can absorb the sun’s Vitamin D, which so many are lacking. Just don’t forget to put on some sunblock to protect your skin.

Tasty Ways to Use Fresh Fruits and Veggies

From strawberries to nectarines to asparagus there are plenty of fresh produce to choose from. Here are some ways you can enjoy these in-season fruits and vegetables:

• Green Smoothie: Make a green smoothie with spinach and frozen strawberries. “Spinach, in a smoothie?” you may ask. Yes! It won’t taste like spinach, and it is packed with vitamins and minerals.  Blend frozen strawberries, half a cup of Greek yogurt, one cup of milk, and fill the rest of the blender with spinach.  If you like it a little sweeter, add a little honey.

• Salad with Strawberries: It’s another unique yet delicious combination.  Choose dark leafy greens like spinach and romaine.  Add walnuts, pecans, and grilled chicken into the mix for a delicious spring salad.

• Nectarine Puree: Put sliced nectarines in a jar with lemon juice and let stand for 15 minutes. Pour into a bowl and mash to a puree consistency. Use this to spread on whole wheat toast or as a topping to yogurt.

• Nectarine Oats: Add sliced nectarine to your favorite high-fiber cereal!  Mixing nectarines in your cereal will surely add a sweet, nutritious component to your next breakfast meal.

• Grilled Asparagus: With the warmer weather approaching, it’s time to uncover that grill! Throw some asparagus on the grill and drizzle some olive oil on top.  Add some yellow and red pepper for a colorful and crunchy nutritious veggie dish.

• Bruschetta: Try making your own Bruschetta using chopped asparagus and tomatoes.  Cut whole wheat toast into bite-size squares and top with asparagus and tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice to create a deliciously light snack. Or better yet, serve as an appetizer at your next social gathering!

Whether you are gardening as a hobby or as a family activity, growing a garden provides exercise and a “no excuse” reason to eat your fruits and veggies.

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